THESE were the incredible scenes yesterday when six robbers on three high-powered motorbikes sped through the upper level of a shopping mall.

Staff and shoppers scattered in terror as the three raiders riding pillion jumped off and smashed their way into the Fraser Hart jewellery store with axes and bats.

In what was likened to scenes from a movie, the gang then roared away from the Brent Cross shopping centre in north London with watches worth tens of thousands of pounds.

Peter Porter, a cleaner, said: “It was like something out of the Italian Job, only instead of Minis they had motorbikes.

“They had helmets on with visors down. Security waved to them to stop but they just waved an axe in the air and carried on.”

Photographer Rick Treister heard screaming and breaking glass at about 10.15am, shortly after opening time. He said: “I did not have time to be frightened. The whole thing didn’t seem real. It was like a James Bond film.

It was like something out of the Italian Job, only instead of Minis they had motorbikes

Peter Porter

“I just grabbed my camera phone and managed to get one picture. The guy on the front bike shouted something at me when he went past. The whole place was going mad. Watches were just dropping off the motorbikes as they accelerated away.”

Claire Smalley, 27, manager of a shop opposite Fraser Hart, said: “We heard engines revving. I looked out and there were six guys, two on each motorbike.

“They smashed the window with axes used for chopping down trees. They only grabbed Rolexes and Cartier watches as far as I could see. I have to protect my staff so I pulled down our shutters. It was pretty terrifying.”

Police later found the motorbikes abandoned near a golf course in Mill Hill, north London. No one was hurt but an elderly man was treated for shock.

Anyone with information is asked to call Barnet CID on 020 8733 4051/4040, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.